Angela Scott
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Hold the phone! My husband helped me brainstorm a plot line...

7/23/2012

9 Comments

 
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I NEVER ask my husband for plot or writing ideas. He's not a writer. He's hardly even a reader. I don't even want him reading MY stuff. It's just better that way. It works for us.

Anyway, desperate times call for desperate measures. I knew going in that asking him for help was probably not going to go well (past experience has dictated this...he thought radioactive zombie chickens would be a cool addition to my zombie western novel. Ummm....no). I've tried bouncing ideas off of him before only to have him say something like, "Yeah. Uh-huh. Sounds good. What's for dinner?"

But I'm at a place in the second book of the zombie west series where something BIG is about to happen. Something awesome. Something amazing. Something explosive. Except....I have no idea what it is. I'm completely and utterly stuck.

My creative muse gave me the bird and took off for the hills (she's cruel like that), and I've been left on my own to make some action happen. Well... it's not happening. Just a lot of blank pages and a little annoying blinking cursor that mocks my efforts.

So I turned to my husband in a weak moment and broke down my plot for him and where each of my characters stood. He listened and then he started blasting off ideas, "How about this? Or how about that?" His ideas weren't so bad. It actually shocked me how good some of them actually were. I think I might actually use some of them.

Weird. What happened to my husband? Who is this imposter?

"See," he said. "I'm helpful. You don't always have to trash my ideas. They're not as bad as you think." I nodded. He was right. I needed to give him more credit.

"Now," he continued. "If a rope could drop from the sky and your heroine is lifted to safety by helicopter THAT would be a great ending. Just like the movies."

And there you have it. THAT'S my husband for ya. It was all good until THAT moment. A helicopter? My novel is set in the late 1800's in the wild west. Nice. Anyway, his help really got me thinking and now I might be onto writing that awesome, exciting scene that has been kicking my behind for months now. And no, there will be no helicopters...though I could see how he might think that was cool. 

Who helps you brainstorm ideas? How do you get past a bout of writers block or lack of creative inspiration? Is your spouse helpful in your writing process? Tell me all about it, I'd love to know.

9 Comments
Megan Trennett link
7/23/2012 08:18:34 am

My best friend usually helps me with problems, mostly because she's willing to listen to what my issue is and can usually come up with a solution. If not entirely, it's at least a nugget. My husband couldn't find a good plot in a well lit room using a flash light. At least when it comes to romance :)

Reply
Angela Scott link
7/24/2012 02:38:31 am

I'm right there with you. I have a great writing partner who is amazing. She's my go-to person. Unfortunately, she was unavailable so I turned to my husband in desperation and found his advice wasn't so bad. He still won't be my first choice in the future, but at least I now know not to write him off entirely :)

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Nancy Lauzon link
7/23/2012 12:57:10 pm

Hubby has been known to help me with 'guy' stuff or action scenes, to my surprise. But my critique partner is my first choice=)

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Angela Scott link
7/24/2012 02:39:50 am

My hubby hasn't been known to help me at all. He is a great cheerleader and encourager, just not when it comes to the actual writing and plotting of things. This time actually surprised me.

Reply
Kathleen link
7/23/2012 01:36:34 pm

I bounce ideas off of my husband too, but we have an understanding. He sits there, listens, and nods his head but offers up no ideas. I'm basically House as a writer in stead of a doctor and Hubs is my "Team" only less abused, lol!

Reply
Angela Scott link
7/24/2012 03:03:01 am

LOL! I love that--House. I love that show and can picture exactly what you're talking about.

Reply
Joan Albright link
7/24/2012 10:02:28 am

My husband and I bounce writing ideas off each other all the time. He and I have a completely different approach to writing, even within the same genre. The funny thing is, I almost never use his suggestions, and he almost never uses mine, but having that conversation aloud always seems to do the trick.

Reply
Derek
7/24/2012 12:23:01 pm

That was a very entertaining read, and just a simple event at the center, good writing. I often push through on my own, listen to music, or literally bang my head. Oh, helicopters are cool, but I prefer motorcycles, dirtbikes, and swords are REALLY cool...

Reply
laura thomas link
7/25/2012 07:53:49 am

Did your husband just finish watching Wild, Wild West before you asked him for ideas? Glad to hear he was of assistance and your writer's block has a big crack in it. I am waiting anxiously for the your next installment!

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